The company is also reducing the price
of AVRs with built-in decoding of all Bluray
surround formats to an everyday $300
from $400 and HDMI repeater function
to $230 from $300.

Like last year, 1080p up-scaling of analog-
video sources continues to start at $400,
and $300 remains the opening price point
for AVRs with wireless second-zone audio
capability. With the additional of a proprietary
S-Air wireless transmitter, the $300+
receivers send audio from connected sources
such as iPods to tabletop amplifi ed speaker
systems in up to 10 rooms.

The 3D-compatible AVR is the 7.1-
channel STR-DN1010, shipping in June
at an everyday retail of about $500. With
HDMI 1.4 inputs and output, it delivers
HDMI’s audio return channel and
3D passthrough features. 3D passthrough
transports 3D video from connected devices
to 3D-compatible HDTVs. Compatible
devices include a pair of Sony Blu-ray players
available in February at $200 and $250.
A 3D firmware upgrade will be available for
the two players in the summer.

To open the mainstream AVR lineup,
the 5.1-channel STR-DH510 will be
available in March at about $230 with
three HDMI inputs, two component-video
inputs, HDMI repeater function, audio
return channel, playback of Blu-ray
soundtracks in linear PCM format and a
Digital Media Port, a spokesman said.

At $300, the STR-DH710 is due in
March and adds 7.1-channel capability, decoding
of all Blu-ray surround formats in
native format, three HDMI and three component-
video inputs, S-Air wireless-audio
option and audio return channel.

The $400 STR-DH810, also due in March, features four HDMI inputs, three
component-video inputs, up-scaling of analog-
video sources to 1080p, S-Air option,
decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats,
fully assignable audio and video inputs, audio
return channel and universal remote.

The products will join the previously announced
BDV-E770W and BDV-E570
Blu-ray Disc home-theater systems, which
will be Blu-ray 3D capable with fi rmware
updates available in the summer.